Notes from the Meeting February 15, 2018

It was a full house at the Holiday Inn when President- Elect Steve Yorde called upon Past President John Baumgarten to lead us in the Star Spangled Banner.  For many of us who have little, or in my case no, musical ability it is great to have one or more Rotarians at your table who sing the National Anthem in full voice.  For the invocation, in honor of our speaker and program, Greg Hansen recited the West Point Cadet Prayer.  The Prayer included reference to both leadership and service with lines that read: “Encourage us in our endeavor to live above the common level of life.  Make us to choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Grant us new ties of friendship and new opportunities of service.”

With that, Dick Pelinka launched into the Fellowship Report to recognize and fine anyone who had been of service and had been caught on television, radio, or print!  Bob Kase will be the featured jazz artist at a local watering hole.  Dick does not wait for an event to happen.  He is ready at all times to collect for the Golden Can.  David Pollard and John Foucault participated in the 19^th Annual Blizzard Snowmobile Tour which raised over one million dollars to fund research for ALS (Lou Gehrig ’s disease) and to provide durable medical equipment and other assistance for local families.  Henry Roberts had his photo of a sub-zero day published in the Duluth News Tribune.  Dean Casperson was fined for his wife Patra being pictured receiving a $38,000 gift to the Duluth Library Foundation.  This fine is an example of where family members, including children, grand-children, and spouses, are part of the Rotary family when it comes to recognition to raise funds for the Club’s community projects.   Gary Melander was tagged in recognition of his recent winning streak in the 50/50 drawing.   And in a special tribute, Jack Soetebier was recognized for his 56 years of Rotary service. 

On a sadder note, we lost a Rotarian with the death of Mark Eckman.  Past President Tom Bell was called upon to give Mark’s eulogy.  Mark attended Denfeld and after medical school became the first infectious disease specialist north of the Twin Cities.  He was an avid reader of both classical and modern literature and in conversation could quote from either.  He loved speed in any form of transportation or sport.  How else do you explain his getting a speeding ticket – on a ski slope!  Tom described how Mark always volunteered when asked and in retirement through Rotary was reborn in his service above self. 

There was a special guest at the meeting as District Governor, Debra Warner and her husband Ed Williams were in Duluth.  The Governor extended an invitation to join her at the District Conference in Thunder Bay April 26 – 28.  Particular mention was made of a bus being available.  The fellowship, some might say party, bus will start in Bismarck and make stops to pick up passengers along the route including Duluth on its way to Canada.

Calling all wannabe writers and reporters.  This year’s Gimlet Editor in Chief, Steve Yorde, made the call for those who may wish to use, or perhaps stretch, their talents to write the “Notes from the Meeting”.  This avenue of service is open to any member.  You would join a list of revolving reporters who work to produce this article.  These include, Darlene Anderson, Rob Hofmann, Al Makynen, Phil Strom, Steve Yorde and Bill Zimbinski.  You can jump right in and be part of the regular schedule or be on the injured reserve list to be called upon when someone is out of town.  Your article would have a Monday deadline so you have plenty of time to complete your mission.   You will enjoy the experience.

You could tell Chairperson of the Day Skeeter Moore enjoyed introducing his fellow Rotarian, Craig Fellman.   Craig was born and raised in Duluth, and since 2014 has been President and CEO of the Jamar Company.  However that is not Craig’s only claim to fame.  In 1995 Craig graduated from West Point Military Academy, later rising to the level of Captain as an army aviation officer flying UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.  Craig gave us a quick primer on the history of the army air corps, the aircraft used in the past and the basics behind the current rotary winged aircraft used.  The specifications for the UH-60, introduced to service in the mid 1970’s, included its speed of 220 mph, carrying capacity of 20,000 pounds, a typical range of 350 miles, and the price tag of $23 million.   In addition to its typical military use in support of troops on the ground, Craig described the various stateside duty station missions using the UH-60.  These missions included forest fire suppression, flood relief, humanitarian projects, and drug interdiction against foreign nationals.  He described how pilots are sent into dangerous environments, without benefit of a prepared landing site, perhaps at night and in some cases under enemy fire, with a machine that is tremendously powerful with great internal stress.  A number of conditions, including enemy fire, can create the circumstances leading to a crash.  After seeing the pictures of helicopters in various mission configurations and the terrain in which they operated, you had a greater respect for the level of danger in every mission.